Howard Beach Civic Association Hosted Candidates Forum
Local residents heard from candidates as campaigns for state and federal office ramp up across New York.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Elections
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The Howard Beach civic association hosted a candidates forum featuring Republican Attorney General candidate Saritha Komatireddy. Attendees heard from various legislative and judicial hopefuls during the event in Queens.
Why it matters
The forum provided a platform for candidates to present their priorities and address pressing resident concerns ahead of the upcoming election. Incumbent Attorney General Letitia James did not attend the event.
The forum featured candidates for various offices including the 5th Congressional District, with Saritha Komatireddy confirmed to participate in a debate against the incumbent Attorney General on October 8.
The players
Saritha Komatireddy
She is a Republican candidate running for the office of Attorney General of New York.
Letitia James
She is the incumbent Democratic Attorney General of New York.
George Marsh
He is a candidate for the United States House of Representatives in the 5th District.
Phyllis Inserillo
She served as the moderator for the Howard Beach candidates forum.
Howard Beach Civic Association
This is a local community organization that hosted the candidates forum in Queens.
The details
Moderated by Phyllis Inserillo, the forum allowed candidates to answer a series of questions separately following the association's regular community business. Participants included George Marsh, Pesach Osina, Tom Sullivan, Michelle Bietner Ortiz, and William Shanahan.
Timeline
The candidates forum occurred in Howard Beach on October 1, 2026.
Saritha Komatireddy will debate the current Attorney General on October 8, 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of Republican candidates often highlight the need for bipartisan attendance at community forums, arguing that single-party presentations limit voter exposure to a full range of policy alternatives. Supporters of the forum format counter that these sessions provide necessary, direct access to candidates regardless of the attendance of their rivals.
Residents of Howard Beach gain direct insight into candidate priorities regarding local issues, such as the proposed hospital trauma center on the Rockaway peninsula. This forum provides voters with the opportunity to evaluate candidates before they cast their ballots in the coming weeks.
The takeaway
Engaging directly with candidates at local forums remains a primary way for citizens to hold office seekers accountable. Voters should review candidate platforms and debate schedules to ensure they are fully informed before heading to the polls.
What happens next
Saritha Komatireddy and the current Attorney General are scheduled to participate in a debate on October 8, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming races, visit the Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by QNS.
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